A theoretical study of spin filtering and its application to polarizing antiprotons
Citation:
Domhnaill O'Brien, 'A theoretical study of spin filtering and its application to polarizing antiprotons', [thesis], Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland). School of Mathematics, 2008, pp 185Download Item:
Abstract:
There has been much recent research into possible methods of polarizing an antiproton
beam, the most promising being spin filtering, the theoretical understanding of
which is currently incomplete. The method of polarization buildup by spin filtering
requires many of the beam particles to remain within the beam after repeated interaction
with an internal target in a storage ring. Hence small scattering angles,
where we show that electromagnetic effects dominate hadronic effects, are important.
All spin-averaged and spin-dependent electromagnetic cross-sections and spin
observables for elastic spin 1/2 - spin 1/2 scattering, for both point-like particles
and non-point-like particles with internal structure defined by electromagnetic form
factors, are derived to first order in QED. Particular attention is paid to spin transfer
and depolarization cross-sections in antiproton-proton, antiproton-electron and
positron-electron scattering, in the low |t| region of momentum transfer. A thorough
mathematical treatment of spin filtering is then presented, identifying the key
physical processes involved and highlighting the dynamical properties of the physical
system. We present and solve sets of differential equations which describe the
buildup of polarization by spin filtering in many different scenarios of interest. The
advantages of using a lepton target are outlined, and finally a proposal to polarize
antiprotons by spin filtering off an opposing polarized electron beam is investigated.
Author: O'Brien, Domhnaill
Advisor:
Buttimore, NigelQualification name:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)Publisher:
Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland). School of MathematicsNote:
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Mathematics, Ph.D., Ph.D. Trinity College DublinMetadata
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